Speaking at today’s reception, Mr Cameron said the network would be “an organisation that brings all the elements of the Big Society together” and answers people’s questions about how they can play a bigger role in their society and country.

The PM added:

The Big Society is one in which we all try and do more. We don’t just look to government to solve the many problems that we have, we actually look to ourselves, to voluntary bodies, to companies, to charities, to all of those things to build a bigger, richer country.

The network’s chief executive Paul Twivy said its three goals will be to encourage people to take action in their local area, to encourage people to take part in groups and to help community groups and social entrepreneurs to access the local powers that the Big Society programme will open up.

He added:

The Big Society network will be an independently-funded and run voice of the citizen, enabler of the citizen and partner to government.